Soul Influence is an a cappella group making music that blends different forms of African music with contemporary Christian gospel. The members of the ensemble come from various parts of the African continent, but the group is based in Toronto. They’ve just released their second disc, Gigo.
Listen to Soul Influence with the song "Kaunga Ya Che"
We asked Soul Influence’s Simba Nyawiri a few questions about a cappella music.
Q: How does a cappella music differ in various regions of Africa?
A: Many factors come into play when we talk of the differences in a cappella music in Africa. However, the main difference comes from the diverse cultures, traditions, languages and religions that Africa is blessed to have. This affects the type or style of music to come out of each region. Each tribe has a unique way of expressing itself in song, whether happy or sad. The religious influences within each region have also helped create some differences in music. For example, the tone within the voices in West and Northern Africa is different from what you hear in East or southern Africa. This stems from the largely Islamic influences in North and West Africa, which is different from the Christian influences in East or southern Africa. In a nutshell, each language has its own music and there may be several languages within the same country or region. In a way this and many other influences have played a huge role in shaping the music.
Q: How does the pan-African nature of your group, with members from Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kenya, affect the music you sing?
A: The fact that we are a pan- African group has made us unique and played a huge role in the music we make by giving us variety. Africa is a huge pool, full of diversity that Soul Influence can dip into for ideas and music. From Cape to Cairo there is an abundance of resource, we're only at the tip of the iceberg. We have learned from each of the different cultures and languages represented in the group. Our common denominator is that we have one God and we speak the same language in music. We have fused styles from different cultures, making our music more creative. Our willingness to explore makes it more exciting and does not limit us.
Q: Why does so much African a cappella music seem to be so filled with joy?
A: Generally Africans are joyous people, we love to sing and celebrate in song with our voices. Unfortunately Africa has seen so much pain, hurt, hunger, war, disease, pestilence, colonialism, slavery, political strife, the list is endless. The people affected by all this have had to cope regardless. Music has a way of soothing the soul and bringing hope despite adversity. Singing is an integral part of life in general. We sing when we are happy or when sad. The joy comes from “the hope” that it will be all right, no matter what the circumstances are. When a group of mourners come together and sing, they can turn that sombre moment into a joyous one. There is nothing as sweet and melodious as the human voice when folk come together to sing. A song may be the only thing a person has at a particular moment. Joy can be found in music, so it’s natural to sing.
Q: How did Soul Influence form?
A: We met at church. One member wanted to sing and invited another and the number grew from two to three ’til we were seven. It was in March 2003 at the All Nations Seventh Day Adventist Church in Toronto that the group was born. We all came from different countries and we would share the music we loved from our respective backgrounds. We primarily chose a cappella because we all loved it, it was what we grew up singing, and it was what we were good at. What began as an internal thing spread to the surrounding areas and soon we were sharing our music with the community in Toronto. Nine years later we are sharing our music with Canada and the world.
Q: Some readers are familiar with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. How does your music compare to that group of a cappella singers?
A: Ladysmith Black Mambazo has been making music for almost 50 years. They have put African music on the map, especially a cappella music. They have paved a way for many a cappella groups that can be found harmonizing in the neighbourhoods of Africa. They are the gurus in African a cappella and kudos go to them. Soul Influence sings some songs in Zulu. Ladysmith Black Mambazo sings mostly in Zulu. Both groups are sharing the musical culture that Africa offers, the difference is that LBM sings predominantly isicathamiya and SI sings a variety of styles. Soul Influence has taken traditional African music and given it a contemporary feel (adding a lot of vocal percussion) and come up with its own brand of African a cappella. Though diverse, a common thing you will hear in African music is that it is repetitive and easy to sing along to. You will surely hear yourself humming to SI music and LBM music. So SI is the little brother following in the footsteps of big brother LBM.
Soul Influence in conversation with Garvia Bailey on the CBC Radio 1’s Big City Small World.
Soul Influence in studio with Garvia Bailey on CBC Radio One's Big City Small World.
Soul Influence plays a CD release concert in Toronto at Hugh’s Room on May 25, 2012.
Related links:
Grammys pit Ladysmith Black Mambazo against AfroCubism